In a world where content runs as ample as water in the seas, Netflix keeps sailing on untested waters to march ahead. Passing one of its biggest litmus tests in recent times, the streaming giant went above and beyond to redeem itself with One Piece. The horrors of a massively diminishing viewership owing to its straying away from the source material in The Witcher stood more than rectified. The ramifications of the streamer’s efforts to strike gold with the Eiichiro Oda directorial pop up in striking examples.

In its quest to stay true, the live-action adaptation of the Straw Hat Pirates comes a bit darker and even more accurate than the anime.

One Piece live-action is darker and truer to the manga than the anime

Overall, Netflix’s One Piece paints a vibrant picture full of colors, vivid VFX, and accurate character depictions. The decision to hand over the creative supervision to original manga creator, Eiichiro Oda, worked wonders for the streaming giant. Interestingly, the originality of the show stands so well-maintained that at times it even surpasses the anime in closeness to the manga while also being darker. A scene widely resonant of it Chef Zeff cutting off his one leg for the benefit of Sanji.

In the sixth episode of the first season, a flashback occurs where the bond between the aforementioned two takes shape. In an attempt to save Sanji from starvation, Zeff gives all his food to the former while resorting to eating his own leg for survival. The take is slightly darker than the anime version, which implies that Zeff’s leg got severed in an accident. Moreover, other instances such as the presence of Garp during Roger’s execution as well as Monkey D. Luffy’s backstory also reiterate the same point.

The result of such intricate efforts paid off big time. Additionally, fans are keeping their fingers crossed for the same level of quality as the show inches towards a second season.

After blowing past Netflix records, the show aims at its second season and beyond

One Piece blew past Stranger Things and Wednesday as it installed itself as the most-viewed show in Netflix history. An effervescent cast coupled with an accurate storyline paved the way for the show’s second season. Eiichiro Oda himself led the announcement as he thanked the fans for their support. Interestingly, the show makers have quite ambitious plans.

In all likelihood, given the performance continues, the show is looking at a six-season haul. Moreover, there is material so expansive to cover that a staggering twelve-season stretch also stands plausible. Plans are already afoot, with both Oda and the team looking at characters such as Vivi and Tony Tony Chopper’s entry into the show. If all stays well, fans may well sit for one of the longest-running shows Netflix will ever create.

What are your thoughts on the live-action being more accurate and darker than the anime? Let us know in the comments below.